CHAPTER 386
Xander took a half step forward, his lips parting as if to call out to Arianna, but Harmony’s grip on his shoulder tightened, stopping him in his tracks.
Leaning in, she whispered just loud enough for him to hear, her voice soft, coaxing. “No, Xander. Don’t. Give her time to calm down.”
His jaw clenched, frustration flashing across his face as his conflicted gaze darted between Arianna and Harmony. His heart pounded, aching to chase after her, to grab her, throw her over his shoulder, take her home, and lock the door until she would listen.
Then he felt the soft squeeze on his arm, and his hand shot down, gripping Harmony’s wrist, irritation flaring through him. He wanted to shake her off, but he held it together, his voice tight with barely controlled anger. “Time will reduce her anger...” Harmony murmured, still pressing into him, almost soothing him.
Xander shook his head sharply, his voice thick with frustration. “Time? She doesn’t need time. She needs to listen.” His fists clenched, his chest tight with regret. “I should have told her about you… I—” He broke off, exhaling harshly, the fury inside him building, not just at Harmony, but at himself.
His gaze flicked over to Rochelle, standing a few feet away, her glare sharp and cutting. The disgust on her face made Xander’s skin burn, but it only added to the fire already raging in him.
His eyes snapped back to Arianna as she exchanged a few words with Rochelle. A sickening emptiness filled his chest as he watched her disappear.
“Damn it... damn it...” His voice was a low growl, frustration consuming him as he stood there.
And yet, Harmony remained there, her hand still lingering on his shoulder. The touch felt suffocating now, like a constant reminder of everything wrong. He flinched at her pressure, irritation mixing with guilt. But she didn’t back off. Instead, she smirked, a reminder that she was still there—still claiming his attention—even if Arianna wasn’t.
.......
Rochelle didn’t look back as they walked away, though her jaw tightened with every step.
“You deserve better,” she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to Arianna.
She helped Arianna into the car, starting the engine and pulling away.
After a while, Rochelle glanced at Arianna, her voice quiet but genuine.
"Do you want me to take you home?"
The word "home" hit Arianna like a wave.
The thought of returning to Xander and the haunting image of Harmony made her stomach churn. She squeezed her lips together, unable to hold it in, and retched violently, though there was nothing left in her stomach to expel.
"No! Anywhere but his house," Arianna snapped, her voice tight with frustration.
Rochelle didn't argue. She simply nodded, her hands gripping the steering wheel as she drove, the tension hanging heavy in the air. No more words were spoken between them, just the sound of the engine filling the silence as they drove away.
..........
“You okay?” Rochelle asked gently, her brows furrowed with concern as she glanced at Arianna.
Arianna gave a small nod, but her pale complexion and the beads of sweat forming on her forehead betrayed her.
“I’m fine,” she murmured, though her voice was weak and shaky.
As they drove, Rochelle’s eyes kept drifting to Arianna. She noticed the faint sheen of sweat on her friend’s forehead, the way her face seemed to drain of color. Her concern deepened, and without another thought, she slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the road.
“Arianna, you’re not fine,” Rochelle said, her voice filled with urgency. She turned toward her, her eyes scanning Arianna’s face.
“We need to get you checked out. You’re looking pale.”
"I'm fine, it's just... just stress."
Rochelle shook her head. "No, you're not fine."
The moment she spoke, Arianna’s stomach churned violently. A wave of nausea hit her like a freight train, and she staggered, gripping her stomach as the world around her blurred.
She clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with panic, and quickly threw open the car door, stumbling out onto the pavement in a frantic rush.
“Arianna?” Rochelle called after her, alarmed.
Arianna didn’t respond. She barely made it to the roadside before collapsing to her knees. The sound of retching echoed in the quiet air as she gripped the pavement, her body trembling with the force of it.
Rochelle hurried in behind her, kneeling by her side and gently holding her hair back.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said softly, her voice laced with worry. “You’re not okay. This isn’t just stress.”
Arianna wiped her mouth with a trembling hand, shaking her head as if to dismiss Rochelle’s concern.
“It’s nothing... Just everything catching up to me.”
“Nothing doesn’t have you throwing up like this,” Rochelle countered firmly, placing a steadying hand on Arianna’s back.
“What’s going on, Arianna?” Rochelle asked her tone a mixture of concern and urgency.
“Why do you still feel so sick?”
She paused, her brows furrowing deeply as a sudden thought crossed her mind. Her expression shifted, growing serious.
“Arianna…you’re not pregnant, are you?”
Pregnant.
The word hit Arianna like a thunderclap. Her already pale face turned ghostly white, and the blood seemed to drain entirely from her features.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, locking onto Rochelle’s, her voice cracking as she stammered,
“What…did you just say?”
Rochelle’s brows knitted in concern.
She had expected confusion, maybe even surprise—but not the despair and panic that now radiated from Arianna’s expression.
She couldn’t help but frown.
Arianna had been talking about wanting a child, dreaming of starting a family with Xander. Just weeks ago, their conversations had been filled with excitement and anticipation about the future.
But now…something had changed. Rochelle’s heart sank as she pieced it together.
This had to be about Xander. That man—her best friend’s love—had somehow become the very reason Arianna was unraveling.
Rochelle softened her tone, careful not to push too hard.
“Arianna, I’m just guessing. It might be nothing, but maybe we should go to the hospital and get you checked out.”
“Hospital…” The word made Arianna flinch as if struck. Harmony’s mocking words echoed in her mind, their venom as fresh as when they were first uttered.
“No,” Arianna said firmly, grabbing Rochelle’s hand and clutching it tightly. Her grip was almost desperate, her knuckles white.
“We’re not going to the hospital.”
Rochelle hesitated, watching her friend carefully. “Arianna…”
“I said no,” Arianna interrupted, her voice steady despite the storm raging in her eyes.
“But... this kind of vomiting needs to be checked out,” Rochelle said firmly, her concern evident in her tone.
It was Arianna’s health at stake, and if there was even the slightest chance she might be pregnant, remaining in this emotional state could only make things worse for her—and possibly the child.
“We’re not going to the hospital!” Arianna insisted, her voice trembling but resolute.
If she wasn’t pregnant, it wouldn’t matter. But if she was, a hospital visit would confirm it, and she wasn’t ready to face that truth yet.
The word “can’t” lingered in the air, making Rochelle pause. She noticed the way Arianna avoided her gaze, the tension in her posture, the fear barely hidden beneath her brave front. Something wasn’t right.
Rochelle wanted to ask why Arianna was so adamant, but the exhaustion etched on her friend’s face silenced her. She reached out, gently squeezing Arianna’s hand. “Okay, we won’t go. I’ll listen to you.”
After a brief pause, she hesitated. “Then where—”
“Your apartment,” Arianna interjected, her voice soft but urgent.
Rochelle nodded without further question. “Alright, my place it is.”
She turned to the backseat, grabbed a blanket, and draped it carefully over Arianna’s shoulders. Her voice softened. “Close your eyes and rest for now. I’ll wake you when we get there.”
Arianna forced a faint smile, though it didn’t reach her tired eyes. She leaned back, closing her eyes, but her mind refused to quiet, the weight of everything pressing down on her.
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